We finally have an idea when the new Lord of the Rings movie is coming out in theaters.
What is the release date for Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?
During a Warner Bros. Discovery earnings call earlier this May 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav revealed that the first installment of the new Lord of the Rings film series will be released in 2026.
The said movie titled Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum doesn’t have an exact release date, as the project is still in the early stages of script development.
What is Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum about?
Directed by and starring Andy Serkis, Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, will feature Serkis’ Gollum as its main character. Warner Bros. Discovery has yet to release the official synopsis for the movie, but Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are writing the screenplay, along with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.
Who is producing Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?
Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is executive produced by Ken Kamins, with Serkis and The Imaginarium’s Jonathan Cavendish. Peter Jackson is producing with Walsh and Boyens.
“For over two-decades, moviegoers have embraced the Lord of the Rings film trilogy because of the undeniable devotion Peter, Fran and Philippa have shown towards protecting the legacy of Tolkien’s works, and to ensure audiences could experience the incredible world he created in a way that honors his literary vision,” said Warner Bros. Motion Pictures heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy in a joint statement, announcing the movie for the first time. “We are honored they have agreed be our partners on these two new films. With Andy coming aboard to direct Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, we continue an important commitment to excellence that is a true hallmark of how we all want to venture ahead and further contribute to the Lord of the Rings cinematic history.”
Jackson, Walsh and Boyens added, “It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that Stinker – Gollum! As life long fans of Professor Tolkien’s vast mythology, we are proud to be working with Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy and the entire team at Warner Bros. on another epic adventure!”
Who are the cast of Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?
Aside from Serkis, other cast members for Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum haven’t been officially announced yet. However, based on the rumored plot and some news reports, here’s a possibility:
- Ian McKellen or a new actor: Some reports suggest the return of Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey for this prequel story. However, his age (85 in 2024) might be a factor. The role could potentially be recast.
- Viggo Mortensen or a new actor: There have been discussions about including a young Aragorn in the story. Whether Viggo Mortensen reprises the role or it’s recast with a younger actor remains to be seen.
- New Cast Members: Depending on the scope of the film, there could be new characters introduced alongside established ones like Gandalf and Gollum.
Will Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum be different from the fan film of the same title?
In 2009, a British fan film titled “The Hunt for Gollum” was released. This low-budget film depicts the events from Gandalf’s perspective as he hunts for Gollum, fearing the creature might reveal the existence of the One Ring to Sauron. The film focuses on the chase and the moral complexities Gandalf faces in pursuing Gollum.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum movie would likely be quite different from the 2009 fan-made film of the same name for several reasons:
- Budget: A major Hollywood studio film would have a significantly larger budget compared to the fan film’s estimated $5,000. This would allow for grander sets, special effects, and potentially a more well-known cast.
- Scope: The fan film focuses primarily on Gandalf’s pursuit of Gollum, with a smaller cast and a more intimate story. A studio film could potentially explore the wider events happening in Middle-earth during this time, potentially including scenes with other characters like Aragorn or Saruman.
- Accuracy: The fan film might have taken some creative liberties due to its limited resources. A studio film would likely have access to Tolkien’s writings and experts to ensure a more faithful adaptation to the source material.
- Legality: The 2009 fan film faced a copyright takedown notice from Warner Bros. A studio production would secure the necessary licenses and rights to adapt the story legally.